Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Paragraph: 23
We recommend that the Government urgently set up an independent intermediary body as a trusted...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government urgently set up an independent intermediary body as a trusted first point of contact for those wrongly convicted because of Horizon, in particular for the 576 convicted sub-postmasters who have not yet come forward. The independent body should be appropriately resourced to support these victims to begin the process of overturning convictions and seeking the compensation they are entitled to. POL and BEIS should co-operate fully with this body. It is crucial that, if such a body should be established, it has proper engagement with the sub-postmaster community and their representatives.
Paragraph Reference:
23
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Although supportive of the intent behind the recommendation, the Government does not propose to set up a new independent body to undertake these functions. The Government is keen to see work to trace and support postmasters with Horizon-related convictions progress without delay and is concerned that setting up such a body would take significant time. The Government and the Post Office are therefore seeking to work with existing independent bodies to address these issues. Since the Select Committee met with Nick Read and Paul Scully in January 2022, the Post Office and BEIS have been working to establish a process of intermediary contact for those who have not yet applied to have their convictions overturned and support for postmasters who have had their convictions overturned and are seeking compensation. Ongoing Activity to Offer Support The following actions are being taken in light of the Committee’s recommendations: i) The Post Office has agreed with the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) that they will contact all identified postmasters with Horizon-related convictions who have not responded to previous communications from the Post Office. (More detail on this below.)